The most helpful favourable review

The most helpful critical review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 starsGreat insights, but not easy to understand
This book is perhaps more useful for people who already have a fair bit of experience. Hempfling has great insights and skills, but I wish he could have the same clarity when he communicates with humans as he has when he communicates with horses. His explanations can be obscure. In all fairness, the difficulty in communicating his knowledge has probably also to do with...

This book is perhaps more useful for people who already have a fair bit of experience. Hempfling has great insights and skills, but I wish he could have the same clarity when he communicates with humans as he has when he communicates with horses. His explanations can be obscure. In all fairness, the difficulty in communicating his knowledge has probably also to do with the depth of it. It's hard work to figure out what he is trying to say. I still give it five stars because the information is very valuable, even if it is not easy to get at.One caution: judging from several books and videos, the information is heavily edited and framed, and I am not sure for what purpose. The result is that the information seems very incomplete: it is made to look simple, quick, painless, fixed in perfection and magical, but it takes time to develop a riding horse (probably years), there will likely be ugly moments because of you or the horse, or both, trust is never established once and for all, it has to be earned constantly, Hempfling is sometimes seen using a treat but never talks about it (what else does he use and not tell us?). So take what he has to offer, but remember that he is only showing a selected part of the reality.One reviewer wanted more tools and I do too. Understanding the horse is the most important tool you can get and this is what Hempfling is trying to give in this book. You will have to go somewhere else to know what to do next. His book "Dancing with horses" is supposed to give that support, but again, is probably more useful to enhance skills you already have.UPDATE TO THIS REVIEW: his latest book "I seek the horse" has more clarity and is worth buying if you are interested in his work. They don't replace each other though. You should get both.

This book provides insightful In-depth descriptions of the full range of horse personalities, characteristics, strengths and weaknesses. Even if you know your horse very well this book will deepen and broaden your appreciation and your relationship. Very unique and fascinating. Horse lovers, owners, fanciers and professionals will benefit from this book. For more about Hempflings training techniques try Dancing with Horses.